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New RS4 test drive - first impressions

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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 03:19 PM
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Smile New RS4 test drive - first impressions

Popped into my local Audi dealer when passing and he let me have a look over the RS4 in the workshop. NO test drives until Mar1st though!

Looks really nice. A little 'square' but very purposeful and muscular. Recaro seats with inflating side bolsters very sexy! It was in Misano(sp?) red which suited it. Looks better than the photos. He managed to talk me into a test drive Saturday week! I'll let you know what it was like.

ps very expensive though, £50k!!!
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 04:43 PM
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I'm changing the M3 next March and will definitely check these out at some point. Miss AWD of my old scoob, so was thinking of an S4 or at a push, an RS4.

Seem a little bland in the photos so I'm looking forward to seeing one in the flesh.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 04:49 PM
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Would love one if it had DSG and a few turbos
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 08:28 PM
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they dont do a dsg it cant take the torque
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 08:38 PM
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I thought it was because they hadn't developed DSG for longitudinal engines? No turbos so not enormous torque.

I could get 20% off one through a family member. Even at 40k they look expensive
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 09:04 PM
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I'm sure DSG will be on its way soon? They have egear for the lambos. Is it that different?

TopB, if you can get 20% off then you've missed out on a goodun. You could have bought it, driven it for at least 6 months and sold it on for a few grand profit.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 09:12 PM
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Would love one if it had DSG and a few turbos
Makes me twitchy too (the thought of buying a performance car without a turbo charger)
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 09:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Deep Singh
I'm sure DSG will be on its way soon? They have egear for the lambos. Is it that different?

TopB, if you can get 20% off then you've missed out on a goodun. You could have bought it, driven it for at least 6 months and sold it on for a few grand profit.
Exactly At that discount you can't go wrong Smells like that brown stuff to me.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 11:07 PM
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have the rs4s not got the same engine as the rs6? - christ i should really know working for audi/vw but we havnt had any in yet

Phil
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 11:12 PM
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Originally Posted by SPEN555
Exactly At that discount you can't go wrong Smells like that brown stuff to me.
I doubt its brown stuff

If only i could justify the fuel cost to my Directors , though the 535d is the BEST car i have ever owned
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 11:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Northern Scoob
have the rs4s not got the same engine as the rs6? - christ i should really know working for audi/vw but we havnt had any in yet

Phil

No - the RS6 has got twin turbo's the RS4 is normally aspirated - Booo!
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 11:44 PM
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Was it the S4 or the RS4 that Clarkson drove againts the rock climber in Top Gear. Whatever it was the sound was mint.

Simon.
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Old Feb 22, 2006 | 11:52 PM
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That was the RS4 and it did sound awesome!!
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 07:51 AM
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They are awesome. Had a go in one in December at Donny (courtesy of Audi UK). Slightly louder than my RS6, but not a lot in it powerwise. If it wasn't smaller I'd have it in March.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 08:50 AM
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a few turbos
How many is a few?
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 09:01 AM
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Originally Posted by ScoobyTal
they dont do a dsg it cant take the torque
The Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG gearbox!
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by Rob D
The Bugatti Veyron uses a DSG gearbox!
Yes but that gearbox probably cost more to make than an entire RS4 does
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
I thought it was because they hadn't developed DSG for longitudinal engines?
Correct. Bit of a pain, would have been nice on the RS4 or even the S4. Not that it will ever be a problem for me. Dam it.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 10:04 AM
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My dad picks his up in the first week in March. He got a phone call from Audi on Monday telling him that as they speak, it's on the ferry heading for England. Can't wait. He's ordered it in Black.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 03:17 PM
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:27 PM
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Originally Posted by stilover
My dad picks his up in the first week in March. He got a phone call from Audi on Monday telling him that as they speak, it's on the ferry heading for England. Can't wait. He's ordered it in Black.
Is he interested in adoption??
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 04:31 PM
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Originally Posted by sti-04!!
If only i could justify the fuel cost to my Directors , though the 535d is the BEST car i have ever owned
Isn't the ride a bit hard? Haven't driven one yet but they look quite interesting

lol @ the brown stuff comment!
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 05:20 PM
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Lol at people booing it because it doesn't have Turbos
For some people (myself included) the forced induction thing is due to knowing there's always scope for upgrade in performance.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jameswrx
For some people (myself included) the forced induction thing is due to knowing there's always scope for upgrade in performance.
... but for others the throttle response of a good N/A engine beats that hands down
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by TopBanana
... but for others the throttle response of a good N/A engine beats that hands down
And if you have enough money you can slap a turbo or supercharger on anything.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 07:11 PM
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Nat21 I find my >100 BHP/litre NA engine a bit lacking in the trouser department and could do with a bit of forced induction, but it would just slide everywhere if I did that.
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 07:17 PM
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I cant wait to see one in the flesh
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 07:51 PM
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but for others the throttle response of a good N/A engine beats that hands down
And for some 8 seats and a towbar beats throttle responce and turbo shove!

It was only 'my' preference
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Old Feb 23, 2006 | 07:55 PM
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I used to be a turbo addict, hence 4 Scoobs owned.

I've been driving a supercharged car for the last two years and the low down pull of that is a revelation( not so good at the top end though)

Out of all the cars I drove last year the biggest disappointment was the 996 turbo, and thats a twin turbo. You have to drive 'around' the turbos, that means its less of a drivers car. The only turbo car I've driven where the response is next to instant is the Noble.That maybe due to the fact that it weighs 1000kgs

A decent 350 BHP/300lbs/ft in a na car is worth more than a 400BHP turbo charged car. The lag in the turbo car, no matter how small, is enough to make it a lesser 'drivers' car. Much like an automatic vs manual. I presume thats why the 997s felt so much better than 996 tt. The fact that the 996tt can out drag it means nothing to me.
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